Jakarta, NU Online
The Antiterrorism Front, a local NGO headed by a former terrorist, has been conducting a campaign to raise public awareness about terrorist recruitment methods in several cities in Sumatra and Java over the last few weeks.
The group has visited several Islamic boarding schools - known to be breeding grounds for Islamic extremists - in Sumatra and Java and will visit two more this month.r />
The organization has visited the following boarding schools: Darul Maarif in Lampung, Sumatra, Al Masyuriah in Bandung, West Java, At Tauhid in Cirebon, West Java, Al Muayyad in Surakarta, Central Java, Sunan Panandaran in Yogyakarta, Central Java, and Al Asy'ariyah in Wonosobo, in Central Java.
A former leader of Muslim hardliner group Jemaah Islamiyah, Nasir Abbas, and a Muslim scholar from State Islamic University, Azyumardi Azra, joined the group to inform Muslim students that terrorists would twist the message of Islam for their own political ends.
"We use the boarding schools as the medium for spreading our campaign against terrorism because the students and teachers have adequate knowledge of Islam. This knowledge is often misused by terrorists in recruiting members," Nasir said as quoted by The Jakarta Post.
Nasir used to be a weapons specialist for Jemaah Islamiyah, for whom he served in Afghanistan, the Philippines and Indonesia. He later became a police informant against Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who was charged and tried for the 2002 Bali bombings.
Nasir, a Malaysian citizen who was 18 when he was recruited by a terrorist group and sent to Afghanistan for military training, said terrorists in Indonesia often used Islam as a reason to kill others.
"Not all terrorists are recruited at pesantren (Indonesian boarding schools)," Nasir said.
"When searching for new members, they often recruit in forums or activities outside of schools, such as private prayer meetings.
"During our presentations, we simulate terrorist recruitment techniques," Nasir said, adding that in such simulations he often was able to recruit students in as little as 10 minutes.
"Then I bring them back to their senses by explaining that the terrorists often use the same methods," he said.
He said that to empower students to resist false interpretations of religious doctrine, "we show them verses from the Koran that are often misused by terrorists in recruiting new members".
"We also show them that the interpretations are wrong and that Islam is not a violent religion," Nasir said.
The antiterrorism group, established recently, plans to expand its efforts from Islamic boarding schools to other communities in Indonesia.
The group also uses wayang puppet performances, including Ki Asep Sunarya's "Si Cepot" and Ki Enthus Susmono "Dalang Edan" to spread its message. (dar)
The Antiterrorism Front, a local NGO headed by a former terrorist, has been conducting a campaign to raise public awareness about terrorist recruitment methods in several cities in Sumatra and Java over the last few weeks.
The group has visited several Islamic boarding schools - known to be breeding grounds for Islamic extremists - in Sumatra and Java and will visit two more this month.
The organization has visited the following boarding schools: Darul Maarif in Lampung, Sumatra, Al Masyuriah in Bandung, West Java, At Tauhid in Cirebon, West Java, Al Muayyad in Surakarta, Central Java, Sunan Panandaran in Yogyakarta, Central Java, and Al Asy'ariyah in Wonosobo, in Central Java.
A former leader of Muslim hardliner group Jemaah Islamiyah, Nasir Abbas, and a Muslim scholar from State Islamic University, Azyumardi Azra, joined the group to inform Muslim students that terrorists would twist the message of Islam for their own political ends.
"We use the boarding schools as the medium for spreading our campaign against terrorism because the students and teachers have adequate knowledge of Islam. This knowledge is often misused by terrorists in recruiting members," Nasir said as quoted by The Jakarta Post.
Nasir used to be a weapons specialist for Jemaah Islamiyah, for whom he served in Afghanistan, the Philippines and Indonesia. He later became a police informant against Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who was charged and tried for the 2002 Bali bombings.
Nasir, a Malaysian citizen who was 18 when he was recruited by a terrorist group and sent to Afghanistan for military training, said terrorists in Indonesia often used Islam as a reason to kill others.
"Not all terrorists are recruited at pesantren (Indonesian boarding schools)," Nasir said.
"When searching for new members, they often recruit in forums or activities outside of schools, such as private prayer meetings.
"During our presentations, we simulate terrorist recruitment techniques," Nasir said, adding that in such simulations he often was able to recruit students in as little as 10 minutes.
"Then I bring them back to their senses by explaining that the terrorists often use the same methods," he said.
He said that to empower students to resist false interpretations of religious doctrine, "we show them verses from the Koran that are often misused by terrorists in recruiting new members".
"We also show them that the interpretations are wrong and that Islam is not a violent religion," Nasir said.
The antiterrorism group, established recently, plans to expand its efforts from Islamic boarding schools to other communities in Indonesia.
The group also uses wayang puppet performances, including Ki Asep Sunarya's "Si Cepot" and Ki Enthus Susmono "Dalang Edan" to spread its message. (dar)
